To tenure or not to tenure, that is the question, at least in the Washingston school districts.  According to an NY Times article, the Washington school systems are questioning whether or not to continue teacher tenure as we currently know it.  The school chancellor, Michelle Rhee, is proposing two different types of compensation programs.  These programs, as described in the article, would give good teachers the opportunity to be rewarded for a job well done while eliminating those teachers who are not on par with the outlined expectations.  I think this is a great idea.  Not only will good teachers be rewarded but our students will be stronger because of it.  As I wrote in an earlier article, good teachers need to have some incentive to continue working the way they do.  Teaching is not something everyone can do, at least not well, and it's high time we stopped thinking it is.  This plan would eliminate those who teach purely for the schedule and not for the love of kids or the love of learning.  Under this proposal some teachers, those with skill and ability, would see their salaries nearly double over the next two years.  The financial motivation alone will cause even the most mediocre teachers to step up their game so as not to be dismissed. I see two major flaws with the proposal. 1:  Who will replace the teachers that don't meet the standard?  Perhaps another equally unqualified teacher?  Or a recent college graduate with no classroom experience?  2:  Will superintendents be able to fire ineffective principals?  Let's not pretend that the teachers are the only ones to blame.  There are plenty of principals who turn a blind eye to incompetence just because the teacher is a friend.   Overall, I think it is a step in the right direction.